Lyr Req: Hobos Convention

Subject: Lyr Req: Hobos Convention
From: GUEST,Rich Braun
Date: 28 Aug 20 - 10:27 AM

I’m trying to find the lyrics of this song which my father used to sing when I was a child in the 1950s. I think it’s a version by Boyd Carpenter recorded in 1932. The lyrics I can recall are copied below. Have looked at convention songs in the Hobos Hornbook texts but though similar aren’t the right ones.

“Back in 1900 as everybody knows
Utah and Wyoming were overswamped with hoboes

They came from the north south east and west and every state you could mention
And the reason that they came was the hoboes convention

I caught a train that very night a fast freight from Chicago
The brakeman came and threw me off at a town call Wells Fargo

And as I sat upon a bank a watchman whose name was Dan
He said climb up that water tank and sign your monogram

As i climbed up that water tank the tank was all in chalk
with the name of every hobo from frisco to new york

Missing line
And if i still remember them I'll tell them them all to you

There was (here’s where I’ve forgotten most)



Jake the Indian Arrow
One eyed joe from Idaho and
the Philidephia Sparrow

I've travelled round this world a bit and roamed from coast to coast
and eaten everything from beans to scalloped whales on toast.

Missing line
Anywhere I hang my hat is home sweet home to me.”

Any help appreciated.